Women’s Mission Auxiliary

Southland Times, Issue 22422, 8 September 1934, Page 17

Women’s Mission Auxiliary

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Southland Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary was held at St. Peter’s Church, Elies road, on Thursday. In the absence, through illness, of the president, Mrs Stanley Brown, Mrs F. Thompson occupied the chair. Two life members, Mrs Lee, sen., and Mrs A. Lindsay, were warmly welcomed. Mrs Thompson was appointed delegate to the annual Dominion Conference to be held in Wellington from October 23 to 26. The Dominion president’s quarterly letter was read, and these are always very interesting and much enjoyed by the members. The finances were reported to be in a healthy state, more money having gone through the books than ever before. The following is a brief resume of the secretary’s annual report: Another year in the life of the Southland Missionary Auxiliary has just passed by and in reviewing this period we think of blessings received from meeting together from time to time, while we also consider the challenge of whether our work to extend God’s Kingdom has been our very best, and whether we have done everything in our Master’s name and for His glory. The year 1934 has been a most important one in that the Southland Auxiliary has now been in existence 21 years. Many of our present members remember its early beginnings and we have cause to believe that many hearts have benefited by the joy of . ervice rendered throughout this time. Our president, Mrs Stanley Brown, has given of her best. Owing to ill-health Mrs Knuckey was unable to continue as a collector, also Mrs Welleans, through leaving the district, was unable to continue. Their places were filled by Mrs Ayling and Mrs Lee respectively. The letters that we receive from our home and foreign sisters are a great source of interest. The stones of such faithful and sacrificing labour, especially among the women and children kindle and warm our hearts to greater endeavour so that we at home may make it possible for these consecrated workers to carry on in their labour of love. In March we were delighted to welcome Sister Elizabeth Common. Sister Elizabeth has given eleven years of faithful work on the islands and her message was welcomed with eager anticipation. On March 9 a successful jumble sale was held, ine proceeds of this sale were sent to headouarters as our “snecial effort towards the debt reduction fund. Perhaps the most important functions were the majority year celebrations. The first meeting was held on Aprill4, this the exact date on which the Auxiliary was formed 21 years ago. An added pleasure to the gathering was the presence of Mrs Duke, pre-sident-elect of the M.W.M.U., who delivered a very stirring address. A beautiful birthday cake donated by one of the members was cut by the oldest members. On the following Simday afternoon an inspiring thanksgiving service was held in St. Peteris Church. This was conducted by the ■ president and at the close the Rev. C. T Pearn administered the Sacrament. A feature of the thanksgiving service was the special thanksoffering which was presented—this being in the form of one coin to represent each year of membership. The substantial amount given bore testimony of gratitude for blessings received in the lives of our members. We have been cheered by the interest our Bible Class girls have manifested in our missionary movement. We realize that these are the missionary workers of future years and we welcome their interest most heartily. We have pleasure in re-

porting that the financial position is quite good. During the period under review some of our members have experienced bereavement, illness and sorrow of various kinds. To them we would offer our sincere sympathy. We take encouragement from the year that has just passed, feeling that whatever we have done has been accepted. The election of officers was then proceeded with and resulted in the following being elected: President, Mrs Stanley Brown; vice-presidents, Mesdames Chambers, Peam and J. J. Wesney; secretary, Mrs Norman James; treasurer, Mrs F. Thompson; reporter, Mrs T. W. Walker; pianist, Mrs D. J. Wesney; collectors, Mrs Ayling (Leet street) and Mrs Lee (Elies Road); quarterly branch, Mrs Brown (Leet street) and Mrs Robb (Elies Road); Social Committee, Mrs Ayling (convener), Leet street, Mrs Robb, Elies Road; life members, Mesdames; Lee, Skipworth, Smith, Sampson, Knuckey, Cushen and Lindsay. After the election of officers Mrs Thompson spoke of the good work Mrs Stanley Brown was doing and hoped that she would have a speedy re* covery. Various aspects for future work was discussed and it was finally decided to hold a cake and pudding fair early in December.